Edo period (1603–1868) Donated by Saitō Shōji
These dolls represent Kintarō, a folk hero from Japanese folklore, and his mother Yamamba, a mountain witch on Mount Ashigara located southwest of Odawara City near Tokyo. Famed for his phenomenal strength, Kintarō is supposedly based on Sakata Kintoki, a real historical figure who lived during the Heian period (794–1185).
In one version of his origin story, Kintarō was born on Mount Ashigara to Yamamba, who was impregnated by a clap of thunder sent from a red dragon. Growing up, his friends were mainly animals that lived in the mountains. As an adult, he served as a retainer to the samurai Minamoto no Yorimitsu, who is known to have defeated the demon king of Mount Ōe in Kyoto prefecture.